Houdini's dynamics system (DOPs) is a very powerful tool that allows users to not only simulate physics, but to interact with the simulation in order to make an impossible looking effects shot look realistic. This is what has made DOPs the dynamics software of choice for high-end feature effects in a very short time. This DVD covers the rigid body dynamics (RBD) features of Houdini, as well as the controls and forces that are common to RBD, cloth and hair systems (though cloth and hair are not covered in this DVD). Houdini’s rigid body dynamics have been used to make characters run through walls (X-Men 3), crumble to pieces (Gatorade commercial), and to make objects on a cruise ship fly around as the ship capsizes (Poseidon). This disc is a comprehensive reference, covering features in great detail through many simplified examples, as well as completed case studies of a bowling ball, dominoes, an exploding building and a crashing train.

• RBD Objects
• Explosions and Fractured Objects
• Constraints
• Solvers
• Forces
• Tweaking Simulations
• Managing Object Relationships
• Integrating Simulations with Other Effects

1. Introduction
2. RBD Object Parameters
3. Case Study 1 - Dominoes
4. Collision Geometry and SDFs
5. Fractured and Glue Objects
6. Case Study 2 - Bowling
7. Object Affector Relationships
8. Animating Simulation Parameters
9. Constraints
10. Case Study 3 - Newton's Cradle
11. Extracting Simulation Information
12. DOPs Expressions
13. Solvers
14. Case Study 4 - Building Collapse
15. Forces
16. Case Study 5 - Crashing Train
17. Global Simulation Parameters

• Product Code: CZE01
• ISBN: 1-59762-908-1
• UPC: 805366016562
• Duration: 355 minutes
• Formats: DVD-ROM, Mac or PC only

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Craig Zerouni

Production Consultant
Side Effects

Craig Zerouni has been coaxing images from computers for over 20 years. In that time, he has written animation and rendering software, created shaders, helped build a motion control rig, animated sequences for many, many commercials and feature shots, and even directed a couple of commercials. His feature film credits include Daredevil, First Knight and Beyond Rangoon. Craig began his career by starting CFX Associates in London, where he spent 15 years doing effects and animation for commercials, television idents and feature films. His company was the first customer for Side Effects Software's PRISMS animation software, and he has been using that, and then Houdini, since those products were released. Craig also spent several years managing the development of Chalice, a high-end compositing package. Craig currently works for Side Effects as a Production Consultant, where he has written documentation and run training courses on the Houdini Dynamics system. He also writes a monthly column for 3D World, and is writing a book on Houdini.